Ysabella Ante
Happy New Year, everyone!
First and foremost, thank you to each and every one of you who has been part of this incredible adventure with TheOneHourProject (TOHP). Your support and commitment have made a huge difference in our mission to empower nonprofits and promote skilled volunteerism across Asia.
As the founder of TOHP, I have been reflecting on our journey over the past year and my hopes for the new year. I want to share these thoughts with you as we continue to grow together.
Our Accomplishments Together
This past year has been remarkable for TOHP. We’ve seen an incredible increase in volunteer participation, with over 100 volunteers contributing more than 1,000 hours of service. This growth highlights how much skilled volunteers can impact areas like digital marketing, sustainability, and education.
I’m particularly proud of the partnerships we have formed with sustainability-related organizations in Singapore such as Climate Hack by Singapore International Foundation and Sustainability Exchange by EB Impact. These collaborations have been crucial for enhancing sustainability efforts and making climate change more relatable to everyone.
One standout initiative was our Digital Marketing Changemaker Program, which provided essential training to over 60 grassroots nonprofits in Singapore. This program has empowered these organizations to amplify their messages and reach broader audiences.
Our Impact on Communities
Our mission at TheOneHourProject is simple but powerful: to promote skilled volunteerism and leverage digital skills for social good—building a community that cares.
Through our initiatives, we’ve brought about real change in local communities. By connecting skilled volunteers with organizations in need, we’ve created a network of “digital superheroes” dedicated to making a difference. I’ve heard from many partners that these collaborations have empowered them to achieve their goals more effectively.
Challenges We Faced
While we celebrate our successes, we also faced challenges this year. Managing social media and communication platforms proved difficult, affecting how we engage with our volunteers. Additionally, recruiting skilled volunteers from competitive creative industries was a struggle. I recognize that we need innovative strategies to attract creative talent willing to lend their skills for free.
As a leader, I encountered my own challenges this year. Partnering with new organizations was exciting but came with its pressures. I learned the importance of being adaptable and resilient through it all. Leaning on my team for support and embracing creative solutions helped us navigate tough situations.
A significant challenge was when several team members left for new opportunities. We had to quickly adapt by redistributing responsibilities and maintaining operations with fewer hands.
Overall, these experiences have shown me that growth often comes from overcoming challenges together. While challenges can be tough, they also give us the chance to discover our true potential and strengthen our bond as a community.
Hope and Inspiration for the New Year
In the coming year, we plan to expand our digital marketing training for nonprofits, helping them use digital tools for even greater community impact.
As we look ahead to 2025 together, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on your values and set meaningful goals that connect with community service.
Think about your “north star”—the core beliefs that guide you and inspire you to make a difference.
You don’t have to start big; even one hour of volunteering can create a ripple effect that spreads kindness in our communities.
Remember, positive change often starts with small actions. By giving just one hour of your time, you can help create a more compassionate world.
For updates on volunteer opportunities and community stories, please follow us on LinkedIn!
You can also follow us on Facebook for real-time updates about our initiatives!
Sincerely,
Madelene Ortega of TheOneHourProject